BOSTON (WHDH) - A Holliston man was arrested early Saturday morning after police said he stockpiled weapons at his house and made threats against police and President Barack Obama.
Joseph Garguilo, 48, was charged with being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition.
According to court documents, on July 27 the FBI received information Garguilo had recently acquired parts to make an AR-15 rifle and that he was stockpiling other weapons including tasers, mace guns, hunting knives and thermite.
Around the same time, Garguilo allegedly said he “will plant a bomb in police station…and kill as many homeland security officers as he can before they kill him.” The FBI said Garguilo wanted to attack a mosque and wished he had assassinated President Obama while he wwas playing golf on Martha’s Vineyard.
He also allegedly said he wanted to “chain a mosque closed and burn it down.” Officials said he did not mention any specific mosque or time for this attack.
The FBI also learned he was stockpiling food and water as part of his plan. According to a criminal complaint, a source told the FBI, “Honest to God, I think he’s gonna snap.”
On Aug. 26, agent conducted a search of Garguilo’s home, where an American flag hangs upside down by the front door. The FBI said they seized parts to assemble an AR-15 rifle, various kind of ammunition, bomb-making chemicals and handwritten notes threatening violent attacks against members of the Islamic faith.
Defense attorney Mark Meehan said his client denies the allegations, which stem from a messy divorce. Meehan said Gargulio’s ex-wife has a restraining order out against him and they have been fighting over custody of their children.
Gargulio was in federal court in South Boston Monday. He will remain in custody until at least Wednesday, when a detention hearing will be held.
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